Tension-regulating device for the draw-off mechanism of full-fashioned knitting machines



2, 1940- F. LAMBACH 2,185.963

TENSION-REGULATING DEVICE FOR THE DRAW-OFF MECHANISM OF FULL-FASHIONEDKNITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 20, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet l Z INVENTOR Kf/E/TZ 144419401 204 LA" BY 0 ATTORNEY Jan. 2, 1940. F. LAMBACH2,185.963

TENSION-REGULATING DEVICE FOR THE DRAW-OFF MECHANISM OF FULL|-FASHIONEDKNITTING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet .2

Filed Sept. 20, 1958 m M N Z 3% 2 FY a ATTORNEY Jan. 2, 1940. F. LAMBACH2.185.963

TENSION-REGULATING DEVICE FOR THE DRAW-OFF MECHANISM OF FULL-FASHIONEDKNITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 20, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 MOTO Z30INVENTOR fie/T24 fi/mwch A ATTORNEY Jan. 2, 1940. F, LAMBACH 2,185,963

TENSION-REGULATING DEVICE FOR THE DRAW-OFF MECHANISM OF FULL-FASHIONEDKNITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 20, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 r2"; ATTORNEYJan. 2, 1940. F. LAMBACH 2,185,963

TENSION-REGULATING DEVICE FOR THE DRAW-OFF MECHANISM OF FULL-FASHIONEDKNITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 20, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 2, 1940. F.LAMBACH 2,185,963

TENSION-REGULATING DEVICE FOR THE DRAW-OFF MECHANISM 7 OF FULL-FASHIONEDKNITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 20, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 w I I N 4;INVENTOR t L 1 Patented Jan. 2, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FritzLambach, Fairview, N. J., assignor to Robert Reiner, Inc., Weehawken, N.J.

Application September 20, 1938, Serial No. 230,845

20 Claims. (01. 66-149) My invention relates to full-fashioned knittingmachines, and more particularly to a tensionregulating device for thedraw-off mechanism of such machines.

During the knitting of full-fashioned fabrics, such as stocking blanks,the tension applied to the draw-off reel or take-up reel must be varied,in order to obtain a fabric with loops of uniform size. The hithertoknown draw-off mechanisms of knitting machines are equipped withmechanical means, such as a plurality of weights or springs, which applythe tension to the take-up reels. Said weights or springs aresuccessively and automatically removed or disconnected from the take-upreel during the knitting of a stocking blank. Thus, the tension appliedto the takeup reel is continuously decreased during the knittingoperation, and after the completion of a cycle of the knitting machineproducing a complete stocking blank, the parts of the tensionregulatingdevice must be reset by hand to their starting position, before a newcycle of the knitting machine may be carried out. Moreover, stockingsknitted of different yarns, for example two-thread-silk-yarn,three-thread-silk-yarn etc.,

require different degrees of tension to be applied to the take-up reel.A certain weight or a certain spring produces, however, only a certaindegree of tension, so that the whole set of weights or springs of thehitherto known tension-regulating devices equipped with weights orsprings must be readjusted, if stockings of the same type but ofdifierent qualities of yarns shall be knitted.

One object of my invention is to provide a tension-regulating device, bymeans of which the tension applied to the take-up reel may beautomatically decreased or increased during the knitting of a stockingblank, so that the proper tension may be applied to the take-up reel atany time. For example, if during the knitting of a stocking blank thewidth thereof is increased or if a portion of the stocking blank isknitted with a reinforcing yarn requiring a higher tension than thepreviously knitted portion of the stocking blank, the tension may beproperly increased.

Another object of my invention is to provide a tension-regulatingdevice,'the parts of which are automatically returned into theirstarting position after the completion of every cycle 01' the knittingmachine.

A further object of my invention is to provide a tension-regulatingdevice, which'may be easily adjusted to the knitting of any type ofstocking blanks and to anytype ot'yarn used for the knitting of suchstocking blanks.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a tension-regulatingdevice, which is automatically rendered inactive, if the fabric ispressed-01f.

A further object of my invention is to provide 6 a tension-regulatingdevice, which may be easily attached to any standard knitting machinewithout a considerable alteration thereof.

Still a further object of my invention is to provide atension-regulating device, which may be 10 controlled by the'main shaftof the knitting machine without utilization of any row of the usualchain mechanism.

In order to carry out my invention into practice, I provide electricalmeans adapted to be con- 15 nected to the take-up reel of any type ofknitting machines for applying tension to said take-up reel, and anelectrical control mechanism associated with said electrical means forcausing same to apply different degrees of tension to said take- 20 upreel during the operation of the knitting machine. Preferably, I use aso-called torque motor as electrical means, i. e. a motor with highstarting torque, which may be loaded to such a degree that a stoppageoccurs without an undue 25 heating of the parts of the motor. Theelectrical control mechanism may comprise a rheostat with adjustablesliding members on its coils and a distributor switch having itsterminals connected to said sliding members in such a manner, that dur-30 ing the feed motion of the distributor switch increasing ordecreasing resistances are inserted as may be required by the torquemotor for the tension to be applied to the take-up reel. The distributorswitch performs one revolution during a 35 cycle of the knittingmachine, so that after the completion of the stocking blank thetensionregulating device is automatically reset into its startingposition. The arrangement of a brake mechanism, which automaticallystops the torque 40 motor, if the motor starts to exceed a predeterminedspeed, prevents any damage due to a pressoif of the fabric. In apreferred embodiment, I arrange a separate control device operativelyconnected to the main shaft and a separate small 45 chain mechanism,which controls the electrical control mechanism of thetension-regulating device, so that the latter may be attached to astandard knitting machine without an altera-. tion of the usual chainmechanism thereof. 50

The above'mentioned'objects and advantages as well as other objects andadvantages will be more fully disclosed in the following specificationreference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of thisspecification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a section of a knitting machine equippedwith an embodiment of my tension-regulating device,

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the section of the knittingmachine illustrated in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating aportion of the tension-regulating device and the take-up reel in anenlarged scale, partly in section,

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the brake mechanism taken on line 5-5 asshown in Fig. 3,

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the distributor switch, in anenlarged scale, partly in section,

Fig. 7 is a diagram of the wiring system of the electrical controlmeans,

Fig. 8 illustrates a stocking blank knitted on a legger,

Fig. 9 illustrates a combination full-fashioned stocking blank with legand foot portion knitted on a single-unit machine,

Fig. 18 is a top plan view of a section of a knitting machine equippedwith a different embodiment of my tension-regulating device,

Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of the section of the knittingmachine illustrated in Fig. 10,

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the control device shown in Fig. 1'7,taken on line l2l2,

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the control device shown in Fig. 17,taken on line l3--|8,

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of the control device similar to Fig. 12,the parts, however, being shown in a different position,

Fig. 15 is an elevational view of the upper portion of the controldevice shown in Fig. 17, the parts, however, being in a positiondiffering from the position shown in said Fig. 17,

Fig. 16 is a front elevational view of the separate chain mechanism andcontrol device of, the embodiment of the tension-regulating deviceaccording to Figs. 10 and 11, in an enlarged scale, and

Fig. 1'7 is a sectional view taken on line I l-II as shown in Fig. 16.

Referring now to Figs. 1-7, l8 indicates the usual table of the knittingmachine, "indicates the needle bar cooperating with the sinkers l4, l8are the yarn carriers feeding the yam to the sinkers, and I8 is a railprovided with brackets 28 guiding the rods 22, which carry the yarncarriers [8. The above mentionedi'parts are arranged and operated in theusualmanner and do not need to be described in detail.

The fabric roller or take-up" reel 24, which draws oil the knittedstocking blank 28 from the needles of the needle bar I2, is mounted on ashaft 28 and is fixed thereto in any suitable manner. Said shaft isrotatably mounted in brackets 88 supported by the frame 82 of theknitting machine.

The free end of the shaft 28 carries a coupling element 34 ofsubstantially cylindrical shape. One end of said element 24 issecured-to the shaft 28, the other end thereof is provided with a recess38 (see Fig. 3) adapted to receive a roller bearing 88 mounted on thefree end of a shaft 48 said shaft being in alignment with the shaft 28.The other coupling element 42 having the form of a collar is secured tothe shaft 48 near the end thereof. The elements 84 and 42 are connectedwith each other by means of a spiral spring 44, the respective endsthereof being secured to the erate with said disc 14.

elements 84 and 42 respectively by means of screws 48 and 48. The rollerbearing 38 holds the shafts 26 and 48 in alignment with each other.Furthermore, the arrangement of the spring 44 and the roller bearing 38permits relative movements of the elements 34 and 42 with respect toeach other, so that the take-up reel 24 secured to the shaft 26 mayperform slight oscillating movements on account of the needle movements,although the shaft 48 is subjected to a torque acting in one directiononly, as will be described later on.

The shaft 48 is journalled in bearings 58 of a bracket 52 fixed to thetable l8. A gear 54 is keyed to the shaft 48 and meshes with a pinion 58keyed to a shaft 58 journalled in bearings 88 of the bracket 52. A gear82 also keyed to the shaft 58 meshes with a pinion 84 keyed to a shaft88 journalled in bearings 88 of the bracket 52. The right hand end ofsaid shaft 68 ,as seen in Figs. 2 and 3 is connected to the shaft 18 ofthe torque motor 12 by means of a coupling 18, so that the torque of thetorque motor is transferred to the take-up reel 24 through the medium ofthe reduction gear 64, 82, 58, 54 and the flexible coupling 34, 42, 44and tension is applied to the take-up reel 24 by the motor I2.

The left hand portion of the shaft 86 as seen in Figs. 2 and 3' isconnected to the brake mechanism, by means of which the torque motor maybe arrested either by hand or by an automatic device. A brake disc 14 issecured to the free end of the shaft 88. .Two brake shoes 18 coop- Oneend of each brake shoe I6 is swingably arranged on a screw stud 18threaded into the wall of the housing 88 forming a part of the bracket52. The free ends of said brake shoes 18 are connected with each otherby a tension spring 82, which tends to press the brake shoes against thedisc. A spreader 84 and a pinion 88 are fixed to a stud 88 rotatablym'ounted in the wall of the housing 88. Said spreader 84 contacts withsaid brake shoes and disengages same from the disc 14 in the positionshown in full lines in Figs. 4 and 5. One end of a curved lever 88 ishinged to the housing 88 by means of a screw stud 82 threaded into thewall thereof. Said end of the lever 88 carries a gear segment 84 meshingwith said pinion 85. The lever 88 is bent in such a manner, that itsupper end is outside of the plane of its lower end. The upper end of thelever 88 is provided with a hook 88 and may be passed through a slot 88of a locking member I88 slidably arranged in a radial opening 182 of thehousing 88. If the locking member I 88 is in the position shown in fulllines in Figs. 4 and 5, in which its inner bevel end I84 projects intothe housing 88, and if the hook 88 is engaged with the body of thelocking member, the lever 88 holds the spreader 84 in the position shownin full lines, and the brake mechanism is rendered inactive, so that thetorque motor may apply tenslonto the take-up reel. If, for any reason,the torque motor shall be arrested to release the take-up reel fromtension, the locking member I88 is lifted, so that the hook 881sdiaengaged from the body of the locking member and may pass through theslot 88. As soon as 88 into the position 88' through the medium ofthespreaderltpinionflandgearsegmentuu Thus, the brake mechanismis-rendered active and the torque motor is stopped.

The lifting of the locking member I00 may be carried out by hand bymeans of the hand lever I06 arranged at the outer end of the lockingmember. In order to obtain an automatic lifting of the locking memberI00, if due to a press-off of the fabric the torque motor starts to runat an excessive speed, the following mechanism is provided. Two pins I08are secured to the disc 14 and rotate therewith. Each of said pins I08carries a centrifugal weight IIO swingably arranged thereon. The ends ofa tension spring II2 passing through a hole of the shaft 66 areconnected to the centrifugal weights, and said spring II2 tends to holdthe centrifugal weights in close relationship. As soon as apredetermined speed of the shaft 66 is reached, the centrifugal forceovercomes the action of the spring H2 and the weights swing into theposition shown in dash and dotted lines and abut against the inwardlyprojecting end I04 of the locking member, so that the latter is liftedand the lever 90 is released, whereby the brake mechanism is renderedactive.

As described above, the torque motor 12 applies the necessary tension tothe take-up .reel 24. During the knitting of full-fashioned stockingblanks, however, the width of the fabric is varied and portions of thefabric are knitted with reinforcing yarn, so that the tension to beapplied to the take-up reel must be decreased and increased depending onthese features. In other words, the torque of the motor 12 must bevaried from higher degree to lower degree and from lower degree tohigher degree during the operation of the knitting machine. For thispurpose a rheostat II4 mounted on the table I0 and a distributor switchII6 mounted on a bracket II8 secured to the frame 32 are arranged in thepower line leading to the motor from an electrical source (not shown).The drawings illustrate a threephase-system, but any other suitablesystem can be used, if desired.

As shown in Fig. 2, the three lines II9 of the three-phase-system enterthe casing I of the rheostat II4 through the opening I22, and each lineis connected to one of the three coils C arranged in the casing I20.Each coil C is provided with a plurality of sliding members I24, whichmay be adjusted to predetermined positions on the coils C, for example,they may be arranged in the positions 01, 02, ca on (see Fig. 7). Saidsliding members I24 are connected to the terminals of the distributorswitch in a manner to be described later on.

The upper part of the housing I26 of the distributor switch is closed bya cover I28 provided with a neck portion I30. a bore I32. A bushing I34is inserted in this bore I32 and abuts with its shoulder I36 against theinner surface of the cover I28. A set screw I38 holds the bushing I34 inits position. A plate I40 is rigidly secured to the bushing I34. ScrewsI42 are passed through holes of said plate I 40 and support three ringsI44 of insulating material. Said rings I44 are spaced from each other bytubes I46 arranged on the screws I42. Each of said stationary ringsof-insulating material carries a plurality of terminals I, II, III XI(see Figs. 6 and 1), which are connected to the sliding members of therheostat by wires I48. The rotatable part of the distributor switch II6comprises a shaft I 50 journalled in the boring of the bushing I34. Saidshaft carries three discs I52 of insulating material positioned withinsaid Said neck portion has stationary rings I44. Each disc I52 isprovided with a contact point I54. The upper surface of said contactpoint I54 is in constant engagement with a ring I56 of conductingmaterial. Said ring is connected to the torque motor 12 by the conduitI58 and is secured to the stationary insulating ring I44 at I60.Furthermore, a bracket I62 secured to the insulating ring I44 isprovided,

said bracket holding the contact ring I56 in its position through themedium of an insulating ring I64. Thelower surface of the contact pointI 54 may be brought into contact with any one of the terminals I, II XI,if the shaft I50 is rotated, so that said contact point selects theterminal to be connected with the torque motor. In order to secure theproper position of the contact point I54 with respect to any one of theterminals I, II XI, the stationary plate I40 is provided with aplurality of indentations I66, and a plate I68 of resilient materialprovided with rollers I10 is secured to the shaft I 50. If the shaft I50is rotated, the rollers run along the surface of the plate I 40, and ifthe contact point I54 comes in engagement with a terminal, the resilientplate I68 urges the rollers I10 into some of the indentations I66, sothat the contact point is held in its position.

The rotation of the shaftI50 may be carried out by hand. For thispurpose, the upper end of the shaft I50 is provided with a knob I12(Fig. 2). Furthermore, a stationary dial I14 and a finger I16 secured tothe shaft I50 are arranged, so that the operator may easily recognizethe position of the distributor switch. Preferably, however, therotation of the shaft I50 of the distributor switch H6 is carried outautomatically. For this purpose, I arrange the following mechanism: Aratchet wheel I18 is secured to the shaft I50. A pawl I80 cooperatingwith said ratchet wheel is hinged to one end of the bellcrank-lever I82swingably mounted on theneck portion I30 of the cover I28. The other endI84 of said bell-crank-lever I82 is in engagement with a forked endportion I86 of a lever I88 swingably mounted on the cover I28 of thedistributor switch H6. The lower end I90 of said lever I88 is linked toone end of a rod I92. The other end of said rod I92 is connected to oneend I94 of a bell-crank -lever I96 swingably mounted on the shaft I98supported by the plate 200 mounted on the frame of the knitting machine.A projection 202 of the bell-crank-lever I96 cooperates with buttons 204arranged on one of the rows of the usual chain mechanism 206, which iscontrolled by the main shaft of the knitting machine in usual manner andin turn controls the knitting mechanism. As soon as a button 204 of therotating chain 206 engages with the projection 202,

the bell-crank-lever I96 is swung about the shaft I98, and the shaft I50of the distributor switch is rotated through the medium of the rod I92,lever I88, pawl I80 and ratchet wheel I18, so that the contact point I54contacts the next terminal. It will be easily understood, that thebuttons 204 may be arranged on the chain 206 in such a manner, thatafter the completion of a cycle of the knitting machine, during which astocking blank has been knitted, the contact point I54 of thedistributor switch is returned to its starting position, so that thetension-regulating device is ready for the next cycle of the knittingmachine.

My tension-regulating device may be easily ad-' a combinationfull-fashioned stocking blank 208 as shown in Fig. 9 is to be knitted.During the knitting of the welt between the points a and b the highesttension must be applied to the takeup reel. If the first loop course ofthe welt is engaged with the take-up hooks connected to the take-up reelthe contact point I54 of the distributor switch is in a positioncontacting the terminal I. Therefore, this terminal I is connected to asliding member of the rheostat, which is positioned at the point 01, sothat the smallest resistance is inserted in the line leading to themotor. If the welt is completed and the knitting mechanism controlled bythe chain mechanism starts the knitting of the leg at the point b, thecontact point is automatically brought in contact with the terminal IIby means of a button 204 on one of the rows of the chain mechanism 206.The terminal II is connected to a sliding member positioned at the point02, so that a different resistance is inserted in the line, which causesa decrease of the tension applied to the take-up reel by the torquemotor, as is necessary at the beginning of the knitting of the leg.

' i At the points 0, d, e the width of the stocking blank is reduced, sothat at each of these points the tension applied to the take-up reelmust be decreased. If the points 0, d, and e respectively are reached,the contact point I54 is brought in contact with the terminals III, IVand V respectively, which are connected. to the points 03, c4 and 05respectively of the rheostat thus decreasing the tension applied to thetake-up reel. At the point I the tension shall be further decreased, butat the point g the knitting of the high heels is started, which areknitted with additional reinforcing yarn, so that at the point 9 thetension must be increased, although the width of the stocking blankremains unchanged. At the point h the width of the stockingblank isincreased, so that the tension must be again increased. At the point ithe width of the stocking blank is decreased, so that the tension mustbe decreased, but the tension must be higher than at the point f due tothe reinforcing yarn used forthe knitting of the soles. At the points Isand l the tension must be gradually decreased, whereby the tension atthe point It is less than at the point I. If the points 1, h, i, k and Irespectively are reached, the contact point I54 contacts the terminalsVI, VII, VIII, IX,X and XI respectively. These points, however, are notconnected to consecutive points of the rheostat in order to obtain theabove mentioned unsteady and varying increasing and decreasing of thetension applied to the take-up reel by the torque motor. Terminal VI isconnected to as, terminal VII is connected to Ca, terminal VIII isconnected I to C6, terminal IX is connected to C7, terminal X isconnected to C10 and terminal XI is connected to cm.

While in the drawings the points c1, c2 cu indicating the positions ofthesliding members I24 are equally distanced from each other, so thatthe resistance is equally increased between any of two consecutivepoints, the sliding members may be arranged in unequal distances fromeach otherdepending on the degree of resistance or tension respectivelyrequired for the individual points a--l during the knitting of thestocking blank.

If a diiferent type of stocking blank'shall' be knitted, for example astocking blank 2I0 shown in Fig. 8, the sliding members I24 may bearranged in difierent positions on the coils and may swingably mountedon the frame 32.

be connected to the terminals I, II XI in'a difierent manner. For thesake of simplicity, however, it may be assumed that for the knitting ofa stocking blank according to Fig. 8 the sliding members I24 may beretained in the same positions as is necessary .for the knitting of astocking blank according to Fig. 9. Thus, the points 01, 02503 011 ofFig. 7 remain unchanged. Furthermore, the connections of the terminalsIVI with the points c1c5 and 09 respectively may be retained. Theterminal VII, however, is connected with 0-1, and both terminals VIIIand IX are connected with Ca. The buttons 204 are arranged on the chainin such a manner, that, during the knitting of the fabric between thepoints h and i requiring a constant tension, the contact point I54contacts both terminals VIII and IX. The terminal X is connected with010, and the'terminal XI is connected with en. The point 06 of therheostat is left unconnected.

The above explanations show, that my tensionregulatingdevice may beeasily adjusted to the knitting of any type of stocking blanks by analteration of the connections between the terminals IXI and the pointsc1'c11 and/or a displacement of the points c1c11.

As shown in Fig. 7, preferably additional adjustable resistances r arearranged in series with the coils C of the rheostat. Theseresistances'permit the knitting of stocking blanks of the same type,

for example full-fashioned combination stocking blanks according to Fig.9, of heavier or lighter yarn without any change of the points 01 and011 and their connections to the terminals IJfl as shown in Fig. 7. If,for example, the stocking blank shall be knitted of a heavier yarn thanthe stocking blank described above, a proportional higher-degree oftension must be applied to the take-up reel during the entire knittingof the stocking blank. On the other hand, a lighter yarn requires aproportional smaller tension. In order to adjust the tension-regulatingdevice to these requirements, the contact finger of each of theresistances r is brought in contact with any one of the terminals 1', T3or n, so that a suitable additional resistance is inserted in the lineleading to the motor, which provides a proportional higher or smallertension caused by the action of the motor. Said additional resistances2" may also be used to adjust the tension-regulating device according tothe humidity of the air, which has an influence on the tension to beapplied to the take-up reel.

It is desirable, that during the narrowing operations of the knittingmechanism the fabric 28 (Fig. 1) is released fromany tension. For thispurpose, I provide a lever 2I2 (Figs. 2 and 4) A feed rack 2I4 is hingedto the upper end of the lever 2I2 and is held in its position by meansof a spring 2I6, which is secured to the lever 2I2 by screws 2! andabuts against the right hand end of the rack 2I4 as seen'in Fig. 4. Aratchet wheel 22!! is keyed to the shaft 26, which is connected to theshaft 40 by means of the flexible coupling 34, 42, 44. If the upper endof the lever 2I2 swings in the direction of the arrow A (Fig. 4), thefeed rack engages with the ratchet-wheel 220 and rotates same to acertain extent in the direction of the arrow B against the action of thetorque motor, which rotates the shaft 40 and shaft 26 in the directionof the arrow D. The relative movement between the shaft 28 and the shaft40 is possible, as the flexible coupling is provided with the spring 44.If the feed rack 2" is in engagement with the ratchet wheel 220 androtates same against the action of the torque motor, the take-up reel isreleased from the tension caused by the torque motor. The swingingmovement of the lever 2I2 is obtained by the following mechanism: Thelower end of the lever 212 is provided with a roller 222. A spring 223acting on the lever 2I2 holds the roller 222 in contact either with thedisc 224 or with the cam 226, which are secured to the shaft 228journalled in the frame of the knitting machine. If during the normalknitting of the stocking blank the roller 222 is in contact with thedisc 224, the lever 2 I2 remains in the position shown in Fig. 4. If,however, during the narrowing operations the rotating shaft 228 isshifted, so that the roller 222 is in engagement with the cam 226, theupper end of the lever 2I2 is swung in the direction of the arrow A andreleases the take-up reel from the tension applied thereto by the torquemotor as described above.

- If the narrowing operation is terminated and the lever 2I2 is returnedinto the position shown in Fig. 4, the spring 44 of the flexiblecoupling returns the ratchet wheel 220, and the torque motor againapplies the tension to the take-up reel.

The operation of the tension-regulating device is as follows:

The buttons 204 of the chain mechanism are placed in proper positions,the resistances r and the sliding members on the coils C of the rheostatare set, and the points c1c11 are connected with the terminals I-XI asis necessary for the knitting of a certain type of stocking blanks.

The contact point I54 of the distributor switch is in the position shownin Fig. 7, in which it contacts the terminal I. The locking member I andthe lever 80 of the brake mechanism are still in the position shown indash and dotted lines, so that the torque motor I2 is arrested and notension is applied to the take-up reel 24.

The operator starts to knit the first loop course of the welt, wherebythe brake mechanism remains in the above described active position, sothat the torque motor does not apply any tension to the take-up reel. Assoon as the first loop course of the welt is finished and is engagedwith the take-up hooks connected to the take-up reel, the operatorrotates the lever 90 of the brake mechanism about its pivot 92 andengages the hook 96 of the lever 90 with the locking member I00, so thatthe parts occupy the positions shown in full lines in Fig. 5 and thebrake is rendered inactive. Now, the torque motor applies a tension tothe take-up reel thereby rotating same in accordance with the deliveryof knitted fabric by the machine. After the completion of the welt thechain mechanism controls the knitting mechanism to start the knitting ofthe leg portion at the point b and controls at the same time thedistributor switch to rotate the contact point I54, so that the lattercontacts the terminal II and the torque motor applies a tension of lowerdegree to the take-up reel. The controlling of the distributor switchcontinues in accordance with the knitting of the stocking blank. Thus,if the point 1 is reached, the contact point I54 contacts the terminalXI, so that the torque motor applies a tension of low degree to thetake-up reel for the knitting of the ravel courses 238 (Fig. 9). ric ispressed oif, so that the centrifugal weights I I0 of the brake mechanismlift the locking member I00 and brake is automatically rendered activeto arrest the torque motor. Thus, the take- If the ravel courses arecompleted, the fabup reel is released from any tension. During thesubsequent usual idle running of the knitting machine for a few coursesto liberate the yarn from the needles, the chain mechanism causes thecontact point I54 of the distributor switch to contact the terminal I,so that at the end of a cycle of the knitting machine the distributorswitch is returned intq its starting position. The brake is still in itsactive position arresting the torque motor, so that no tension isapplied to the take-up reel. The knitting machine equipped with thetension-regulating device is ready for a new cycle to be carried out inthe same manner as described above.

If, for any reason whatsoever, the operator wishes to release thetake-up reel from tension, he lifts the locking member I00 by hand, sothat the lever 90 is released and the brake is rendered active to stopthe torque motor.

While the drawings do not show a switch to interrupt the line betweenthe electric source and the torque motor, obviously such a switch may bearranged or included in the distributor switch, if desired.

According to the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the distributorswitch II6 of the tensionregulating device is controlled by a row of theusual main chain mechanism of the knitting machine. In a great number ofcases, however, the main chain mechanism of a knitting machine, which isalready in use, has no free row which could be used for the control ofthe tension-regulating device, or there is no space left for thearrangement of an additional chain row. In order to avoid thisdisadvantage, I provide a second chain mechanism, which controls thedistributor switch and is controlled by a control device driven by themain shaft of the knitting machine. Figs. 10-17 illustrate such anembodiment of my invention.

Likewise in the arrangement shown in Figs. 1-6, the tension-regulatingdevice according to Figs. 10-17 comprises a torque motor I2 connected tothe take-up reel through the medium of the reduction gear 64, 62, 56, 54and the flexible coupling 34, 42, 44. Furthermore, the rheostat H4 andthe distributor switch II6 mounted on the knitting machine are arrangedin the line leading to the torque motor, so that a rotation of thedistributor switch H6 by means of the pawl I80 controls the torquemotor. The rod I82, however, which is hinged to the lower end of theswingable lever I88 actuating the pawl I80 is not connected to one ofthe levers I96 actuated by buttons on one row of the chain 206 of themain chain mechanism controlling the knitting mechanism in the usualmanner. The rod I92, however, is hinged to one end of a bell-crank lever232 (see Fig. 10) which is pivotally mounted on the frame of theknitting machine at 234. The other end of said bell-crank lever 232 ishinged to one end of a rod 235. The other end of the rod 236 is linkedto the lower end of a swingable lever 238. The lever 238 is pivotallymounted at 240 on the wall of a casing 242 supported by a rail 244 ofthe knitting machine. The upper end of the swingable lever 238 isprovided .with an acute angled projection 248, which cooperates withacute angled buttons 248 (see Fig. 16) arranged on the additional chainmechanism 250. As soon as one of the members of the chain 250 carryingsuch a button 248 is tuated through the connections above described. Assoon as during the movement of the member of the chain the point of thebutton 248 comes past the point of the projection 246, a tension spring249 stretched between the lever 238 and a stationary point 25! returnsthe lever 238 into its original position, so that the point of theprojection 246 contacts the member of the chain carrying the button 248behind said button, when the chain is arrested.

The chain 258 has two rows of links 252 and 254 for a purpose to bedescribed later on. The chain 258 is in engagement with an uppersprocket 256 and a lower sprocket 258. The upper sprocket 256 isrotatably mounted on a stationary shaft 268, which is carried by hubs262 of the casing 242 and is held in its position by set screws. 264.The lower sprocket 258 is rotatably mounted on a stationary stud 266 in-Sorted in a hole of a plate 268 and held in its position by a set screw218. The plate 268 is provided with two slots 212 and may be adjusted toa predetermined position by means of screws 214, which are passedthrough said slots and threaded into a body 216 secured to the rail 244.The above described adjusting means permit an easy replacement of thechain 258 by a chain of difierent pattern or length, and furthermore,the chain used in the device may be easily stretched.

As will be seen from the drawings, the additional chain 258 is ofcomparatively short length, so that the chain cannot be advanced duringevery revolution of the main shaft of the knitting machine. In order toprovide a proper advancing movement of the chain and to render possiblean engagement between the buttons 248 of the chain and the projectingend 246 of the lever 238 in timed relationship to the knittingoperations, I provide a control device, which will be describedhereinafter.

As best shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the usual draw lever 218, which isdriven by the main shaft (not shown) and controls the frictions, yarncarriers and slur cocks, is hinged to an oscillating lever 288 at 282.The lever 288 is pivotally mounted at 284 on a body 286 secured to therail 244. One end of a connecting rod 288 is also hinged to theoscillating lever 288 at 282. The other end of the connecting rod 288 islinked to a crank 298 keyed to a shaft 292 (see Fig. 17) journalled inbearings of the casing 242. The connecting rod 288 serves to transferthe oscillating movements of the lever 288 to the shaft 292. Cams 294and 296 (see Figs. 12-14 and 1'7) are keyed to the shaft 292. A roller288 arranged at the lower end of a bell-crank lever 388 rotatablymounted on the shaft 268 cooperates with the cam 294. A roller 382arranged at the lower end of a bell-crank lever 384 rotatably mounted onthe shaft 268 cooperates with the cam 296. The upper end of thebell-crank lever 388 carries a pawl 386 cooperating with a ratchet wheel388 rotatably arranged on the shaft 268. The upper end of the bell-cranklever 384 carries a pawl 3l8 coooperating with a ratchet wheel 3| 2rotatably mounted on the shaft 268. A disc 3 rotatably mounted on theshaft 268 is secured to the ratchet wheel 388 by screws 3| 6 and rotatestherewith. Said disc is provided with a cam-like projection 3l8 at onepoint of'its circumference. Said projection may be, engaged with aprojecting end 328 of a' member 322 provided with an elongated slot 324being in engagement with the shaft 268. A compression spring 326arranged between the casing and the member 322 urges the latterupwardly, so that the upper edge 328 of the member 322 holds the pawl318 in a plane above the circumference of the ratchet wheel 3l2 andrenders the pawl 3l8 inactive, if the projecting end 328 contacts withthe round portion of the circumference of the disk 3, as shown in Fig.14. If the projection 3I8 of the disc is in engagement with theprojecting end 328 of the member 322, as shown in Figs. 13, 15 and 17,the member 322 is pressed downwards against the action of thecompression spring 326, so that the upper edge 328 of the member 322 isdisengaged from the pawl 3l8 and the latter may fall into a spacebetween two teeth of the ratchet wheel 3l2 by gravity or by a spring(not shown) and may actuate same. The ratchet wheel 3l2 is positivelysecured to the sprocket 256 by means of pins 338 or the like, so that afeed motion of the ratchet wheel 3l2 causes a feed motion of thesprocket 256 and an advancing movement of the chain 258.

Moreover, the shaft 268 carries a body 332, which is slidably arrangedthereon by means of an elongated opening 334. A tension spring 336,arranged between the casing and said body, tends to draw the bodydownwards, so that the down ward extending left hand end 338 of thebody, which projects from the casing is held in engagement with the row254 of the chain 258. If a button 348 arranged on said row 254 comes inengagement with the end 338, as shown in Fig. 15, the body 332 is liftedagainst the action of the tension spring 336 and its edge 3 holds thepawl 386 in a plane above the circumference of the ratchet wheel 388 andrenders the pawl 386 inactive. If, however, the end 338 is opposite to amember of the chain 254, which does not carry a button as shown in Fig.17, the tension spring 336 draws the body 332 downwards and disengagesits edge 34! from the pawl 386, so that the latter falls into a spacebetween two teeth of the ratchet wheel 388 and may actuate same.

The operation of the control device is as follows:

The cams 294 and 296 are of such a shape and are arranged in such arelation to each other, that during the movement of the crank 298 fromthe point F to the point G (see Fig. 14) the bellcrank lever 388 isrotated by the cam 294, while the bell-crank lever 384 remains in itsoriginal position, whereupon during the movement of the crank 298 fromthe point G to the point H (Figs. 12 and 13) the bell-crank lever 384 isrotated by the cam 286, while the bell-crank lever 388 remains in itsrotated position. Likewise, first the bell-crank lever 384 and then thebell-crank lever v388 are returned into their starting positions, whenthe crank 298 is swung back from the position H to the position F.

As long as the projecting end 328 of the member 322 contacts the roundportion of the disc 3 l4, as shown in Fig. 14, the swinging movements ofthe crank .298 will cause a rotation of the ratchet wheel 388 by meansof the cam294, bellcrank lever 388 and the pawl 386, while the ratchetwheel 3l2 and the chain 258 are not rotated, as the edge 328 of themember 322 disengages the pawl 3l6 from'the ratchet wheel 3l2, so thatthe movements of the pawl 3" by means of the cam 266 and bell-cranklever 364 have no eflect. x

Now, if during the rotation of the ratchet wheel 388 the projection 3"of the disc 3 secured to I said" ratchet wheel 366 is engaged with .theproa,1su,aea 7 jecting end 320 of the member 322, the latter is moveddownwards against the action of the compression spring 326, so that theedge 328 of the member 322 is disengaged from the pawl 3l0 and thelatter drops into a space between two teeth of the ratchet wheel 3l2 asshown in Figs. 13 and 17. As mentioned above, the cam 294 rotates thebell-crank lever 300 during its movement from the point F to the pointG, while the cam 286 does not actuate the bell-crank lever 304 duringthis period. Therefore, the ratchet wheel 308 is already rotated and theprojection 3l8 is already engaged with the projecting end 320,11 thecrank 290 has reached the point G. Now, during the further movement ofthe crank 290 from the point G to the point H, the bell-crank lever 300remains in its position, while the bell-crank lever 304 is rotated bythe cam 296, so that the projection 3 [8 remains in engagement with theprojecting end 320 during this period. Now, as owing to the engagementof the projection 3l8 and the projecting end 320 with each other thepawl 3l0 is engaged with the ratchet wheel 312 as shown in Figs. 13 and17, the ratchet wheel 3l2 is rotated by the cam 296, if the crank 290 ismoved from the point G to the point H. At the same time the chain 250 isadvanced in accordance with the feed motion of the ratchet wheel 3l2 bythe pawl 3l0; as the sprocket 256 is secured to the ratchet wheel 3l2 bythe pins 330. If said advancing movement of the chain 250 brings abutton 248 (see Fig. 16) of the row 252 in engagement with theprojecting end 246 of the lever 238, the distributor switch I I6 isactuated, so that the contact point I54 is brought in contact with thenext terminal to change the tension applied to the take-up reel by thetorque motor. If, however, the above described advancing movement of thechain 250 brings a member of the row 252 in contact with the projectingend 246 and said member does not carry a button, the lever 238 and thedistributor switch I I6 will not be actuated, so that the tension on thetake-up reel remains unchanged.

If during the above described advancing movement of the chain 250 themember of the row 254, which is in contact with the end 338 of the body332, does not carry a button, as shown in Fig. 17, the tension spring336 retains the body 332 in its downward position, so that the edge 34!of the body 332 is disengaged from the pawl 306, which remains inengagement with the ratchet wheel 308. Therefore, the next movement ofthe crank 290 from the point F to the point G causes a further rotationof the ratchet wheel 308, so that the projection 3l8 of the disc 3l4 isdisengaged from the projecting end 320 of the member 322.

Thus, the compression spring 326 urges the mem-.

her 322 upwardly in order to disengage the pawl 3l0 from the ratchetwheel 3l2, so that the movement of the pawl 3l0 during the movement ofthe crank 290 from the point G to the point H has no efiect and thechain 250 remains in its position. The chain 250 will not be advancedduring the further oscillating'movements of the crank 290 until after acertain number of feed movements of the ratchet wheel 308 by the pawl306 the projection 3l8 again engages the projecting end 320. Then, thechain 250 is advanced by the action of the pawl 310 during the movementof the crank 290 from the point G to the point H.

If every stroke of the draw lever 2.18 (Figs. 10 and 11) would cause afeed motion of the ratchet wheel 308 (Figs. 14 and 17) by means of thepawl 306, the advancing movement of the chain 250 would only take placeat regular intervals after a certain number of revolutions of the mainshaft, which are necessary for bringing the projection 3l8 in contactwith the projecting end 320. On the other hand, the main shaft alsocontrols the knitting mechanism. It might be, however, that the numberof revolutions of the main shaft which are performed during the knittingof the stocking blank from the point a to the point b or b to 0 etc.(see Fig. 9) are not an'integral multiple of the above mentioned numbersof revolutions forthe performance of a feed motion of the chain 250.Therefore, I provide means to cause an advancing movement of the chain250 at irregular intervals, if necessary. If such irregular movements ofthe chain 250 are desired, a button 340 is arranged on a member of therow 254 of the chain 250 as shown in Fig. 15. Now, if the projection 3l8engages the projecting end 320 and the pawl 3 I 0 causes a feed motionof the ratchet wheel 3l2 advancing the chain 250, a button 340 engageswith the end 338 of the body 332, which is lifted against the action ofthe tension spring 336. This lifting movement of the body 332 disengagesthe pawl 306 from the ratchet wheel 308, by means of the edge 34!, sothat the next movement of the crank 290 from the point F to the point Gdoes not rotate the ratchet wheel 308 and the projection 3| 8 remains incontact with the projecting end 320. Therefore, the subsequent movementof the crank 290 from the point G to the point H causes a feed motion ofthe ratchet wheel 3l2 by the pawl 3l0 and the chain 250 is advanced tothe same extent. If said advancing movement of the chain 250 bringsanother button 340 in contact with the end 338, the projection 3l8 againremains in contact with the projecting end 320 during the next swingingmovement of the crank 280 and the chain 250 will again be advanced. Saidadvancing movements are repeated as long as a button 340 contacts withthe end 338, but as soon as the member of the row 254 of the chain doesnot carry a button, as shown in Fig. 17, the tension spring 336 drawsthe body 332 downwards, and no further advancing movement of the chain250 takes place, until after a certain number of feed motions of theratchet wheel 308 the projection 3! 8 again engages the projecting end320.

The above explanations show that the ratchet wheel 308 controls theratchet wheel 3l2, .and

that the row 254 of the chain 250 driven by the ratchet wheel 3l2 inturn controls the ratchet Wheel 308, so that any desired feed motion ofthe chain 250 may be obtained.

The chain 250 may be advanced at regular intervals or at irregularintervals. Furthermore, the control device may be advanced in such amanner that, for a certain period, every stroke of the draw lever 218causes an advancing movement of the chain 250. Obviously, however, thedistributor switch H6 is only actuated. if the advancing movement of thechain 250 brings a button 248 of the row 252 in contact with theprojection 246 of the lever 238. The abovedescribed control devicepermits an easy and exact adjustment of the tension-regulating device tothe knitting operations during the knitting of the stocking blanks.According to the drawings, the control device is driven by the drawlever 218 controlled by the main shaft of the knitting machine, but thecontrol device could be operatively connected to the main shaft in anyother manner, if desired. Moreover, I do not want to be limited to theuse of the control device for controlling a chain mechanism of aknitting machine. The control device could be used for any otherpurpose, if desired.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it is clearthat numerous changes and omissions may be made without departing. fromthe spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. An attachment for a full-fashioned knitting machine provided with afabric take-up reel, comprising electrical means adapted to be connectedto said take-up reel for applying tension thereto, and an automaticelectrical control mechanism associated with said electrical means forcausing same to apply diiferent degrees of tension to said take-up reelin dependence on the progress of the knitting of the full-fashionedfabric during the operation of the knitting machine.

2. An attachment for a full-fashioned knitting machine provided with afabric take-up reel, comprising a torque motor to be coupled with saidtake-up reel for applying tension thereto, and an automatic electricalcontrol mechanism associated with said torque motor for causing same toapply different. degrees of tension to said take-up reel in dependenceon the progress of the knitting of the full-fashioned fabric during theoperation of the knitting machine.

3. An attachment for a full-fashioned knitting machine provided with afabric take-up reel, comprising a torque motor to be coupled with saidtake-up reel for applying tension thereto, and an automatic electricalcontrol mechanism associated with said torque motor for causing same toapply difierent degrees of tension to said take-up reel during theoperation of the knitting machine, said automatic electrical controlmechanism comprising a rheostat and a distributor switch to be coupledwith a pattern chain control of the knitting machine, said distributorswitch having a plurality of terminals and a contact member movablyarranged for successively connecting one of said terminals with saidtorque motor, and said terminals being electrically con? nected tovarious points of said rheostat.

4. An attachment for a full-fashioned knitting machine as claimed inclaim 3, in which at least a portion of consecutive terminals of thedistributor switch are electrically connected to non-consecutive pointsof the rheostat for causing said torque motor to apply to the take-upreel diflerent degrees of tension varying from higher degrees to lowerdegrees and from lower degrees to higher degrees depending on theprogress of the knitting of the full-fashioned stocking blank.

5. A full-fashioned knitting machine, compris ing a knitting mechanism,a fabric take-up reel, a chain mechanism, a main shaft controlling saidchain mechanism and said knitting mechanism, a torque motor connected tosaid take-up reel for applying tension thereto, and an electricalcontrol mechanism associated with said torque motor for causing same toapply different degrees of tension to said take-up reel during theoperation of the knitting machine, said chain mechanism controlling saidelectrical control mechanism, and said electrical control mechanismincluding adjustable means adapted to cause a decrease andan increase ofthe tension applied to the take-up reel in dependence on the progress ofthe knitting of the full-fashioned fabric.

6. A knitting machine for knitting stocking blanks, comprising aknitting mechanism, a fabric take-up reel, a chain mechanism, a mainshaft connected to various points of said rheostat, and

said chain mechanism controlling said rotatable distributor switch andreturning the latter to its normal starting position after thecompletion of every cycle of the knitting machine during which astocking blank is knitted.

7. A knitting machine, comprising a knitting mechanism, a fabric take-upreel, a chain mechanism, a main shaft controlling said chain mechanismand said knitting machine, a torque motor, a flexible coupling arrangedbetween said torque motor and said take-up reel, said torque motor beingarranged to apply tension to said take-up reel, and an electricalcontrol mechanism associated with said torque motor for causing same toapply different degrees of tension to said takeup reel during theoperation of the knitting machine, said chain mechanism controlling saidelectrical control mechanism.

8. A knitting machine, comprising a knitting mechanism, a fabric take-upreel, a chain mechanism, a main shaft controlling said chain mechanismand said knitting machine, a torque motor, a flexible coupling, saidcoupling comprising two coupling elements and resilient means connectingsame with each other, one of said coupling elements being connected tosaid torque motor, the other coupling element being connected to saidtake-up reel, said torque motor being arranged to apply tension to saidtake-up reel, a device for releasing said take-up reel from the tensionapplied thereto, said device being controlled by said main shaft tocause a temporary relative movement ofthe coupling element connected tothe take-up reel. with respect to the other coupling element against theaction of the resilient means, and an electrical control mechanismassociated with said torque motor for cansing same to apply differentdegrees of tension to said take-up reel during the operation of theknitting machine, said chain mechanism control-' ling said electricalcontrol mechanism.

9. A knitting machine, comprising a knitting mechanism, a fabric take-upreel, a chain mechanism, a main shaft controlling said chain mechanismand said knitting mechanism, a torque motor connected to said take-upreel for applying tension thereto, a brake mechanism connected to saidtorque motor for arresting same, said brake mechanism being providedwith locking means normally holding same in inactive position, means forreleasing said locking means arranged in said brake mechanism, and anelectrical control mechanism associated with said torque motor forcausing same to apply different degrees of tension to said take-up reelduring the operation of the knitting machine, said chain mechanismcontrolling said electrical control mechanism.

10. A knitting machine, comprising a knitting mechanism, a fabrictake-up reel, a chain mechanism, a main shaft controlling said chainmechanism and said knitting mechanism, a torque motor connected to saidtake-up reel for applying tension thereto, a brake mechanism connectedto said torque motor for arresting same, said brake mechanism beingprovided with locking means normally holding same in active position,manual means for releasing said locking means arranged in said brakemechanism, automatic means positioned in said brake mechanism forreleasing said locking means at a predetermined speed of the torquemotor, and an electrical control mechanism associated with said torquemotor for causing same to apply different degrees of tension to saidtake-up reel during the operation of the knitting machine, said chainmechanism controlling said electrical control mechanism.

11. A knitting machine, comprising a knitting mechanism, a fabrictake-up reel, a chain mechanism, a main shaft controlling said chainmechanism and said knitting mechanism, a torque motor connected to saidtake-up reel for applying tension thereto, a brake mechanism connectedto said torque'motor for arresting same, a stationary housing, a rodjournalled in said housing andpositively connected to said torque motor,said housing being provided with an opening, a looking member slidablyarranged in said opening, one end of said locking member forming ahandle, the other end of said locking member normally extending intosaid housing, the body of said locking member being provided With a slotexternal to said housing, a lever movably mounted on said housing, thefree end of said lever normally passing through said slot and beingengaged with said locking member, said lever normally holding said brakemechanism in inactive position, a spring acting on said'lever fordisengaging same from said locking member when the latter is displaced,centrifugal control means arranged within said housing, said centrifugalcontrol means being responsive to the rotation of said rod andcontacting the inwardly extending end of said locking member at apredetermined speed of the rod for displacing said locking member andreleasing said lever to render the brake mechanism active, and anelectrical control mechanism associated with said torque motor forcausing same to apply different degrees of tension to said take-up reelduring the operation of the knitting machine, said chain mechanismcontrolling said electrical control mechamsm.

12. A full-fashioned knitting machine, comprising a knitting mechanism,a fabric take-up reel, a chain mechanism, a main shaft controlling saidchain mechanism and said knitting mechanism, a torque motor connected tosaid take-up reel for applying tension thereto, an

electrical resistance and a distributor switch arranged in the powerline for the torque motor, said distributor switch being provided with aplurality of terminals and a contact member movably arranged forsuccessively connecting one of said terminals with said torque motor,said terminals being electrically connected to different points of saidresistance, and an actuating mechanism for moving said contact member,said actuating mechanism being controlled by said chain mechanism.

13. A full-fashioned knitting machine, com prising a knitting mechanism,a fabric take-up reel, a chain mechanism, a main shaft controlling saidchain mechanism and said knitting mechanism, a torque motor connected tosaid take-up reel for applying tension thereto, a rheostat and adistributor switch arranged in the power line for the torque motor, saidrheostat being provided with at least one coil, adjustable slidingmembers arranged on different points of said coil, said distributorswitch being provided with a plurality of terminals and a contact membermovably arranged for successively connecting one of said terminals withsaid torque motor, said terminals being electrically connected to saidadjustable sliding members, and an actuating mechanism for moving saidcontact member, said actuating mechanism being controlled by said chainmechanism.

14. A full-fashioned knitting machine as claimed in claim 12, in whichat least a portion of consecutive terminals of the distributor switchare electrically connected to non-consecutive points of said resistance,so that the different degrees of tension applied to the take-up reel bythe torque motor vary from higher degrees to lower degrees and fromlower degrees to higher degrees during the operation of the machine.

15. A full-fashioned knitting machine as claimed in claim 13, in whichan additional adjustable electrical resistance is arranged in serieswith said rheostat.

16. A full-fashioned knitting machine, com

prising a knitting mechanism, a fabric take-up reel, a main shaft, amain chain mechanism, said main shaft controlling said main chainmechanism, said main chain mechanism controlling said knittingmechanism, a second chain mechanism, a control device controlling saidsecond chain mechanism, said control device being operatively connectedto said main shaft, a torque motor connected to said take-up reel forapplying tension thereto, and an electrical control mechanism associatedwith said torque motor for causing same to apply different degrees oftension to said take-up reel during the operation of the knittingmachine, said second chain mechanism controlling said electrical controlmechanism.

17. A knitting machine as claimed in claim 16, said control devicecomprising means for advancing said second chain mechanism at irregularintervals.

18. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination withfabricknittingmeans,and fabric take-off means; of an electrical device adaptedto apply to the fabric take-oil means tensions of differentpredetermined degrees automatically varying at predetermined intervalsin dependence on the progress of the knitting of the full-fashionedfabric, and an adjustable control mechanism associated withsaidelectrical device for causing a variation of the tensions from higherdegrees to lower degrees and from lower degrees to higher degrees duringthe knitting of the fullfashioned fabric.

19. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination with fabricknitting means, a pattern chain control, and fabric take-off means; ofan electrical device adapted to apply to the fabric take-off meanstensions of different predetermined degrees automatically varying atpredetermined intervals in dependence on the progress of the knitting ofthe full-fashioned fabric, and an adjustable control mechanism governedby "said pattern chain and associated with said electrical device forcausing a variation of the tension from higher degrees to lower degreesand from lower degrees to higher degrees during the knitting of thefull-fashioned fabric.

20. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination with fabricknitting means, a pattern chain control, and fabric take-off means; of

device for causing the variation of the tensions, said pattern chainreturning said electrical control mechanism to its starting positionafter the completion of every cycle of the knitting machine during whicha full-fashioned fabric is knitted.

FRITZ LAMZBACH.

